Visiting

On Monday Mom, my brother-in-law, and I went to visit my grandfather. Between driving, running a few errands for him, and visiting, it took most of the day. He was in good spirits and the visit was pleasant. His health has been pretty stable for almost a year since he had a really bad crisis that lasted for 6 months, so we are very glad. I haven’t always had a good relationship or good attitude about him. He has said and done hurtful things over the years. But he has mellowed and I have learned to forgive and let go. In the last two years since I’ve seen him I see things that I didn’t see in him before. He showed amazing fortitude and resilience during his recurring bouts of illness last year. I personally didn’t think he could fight through it. He did and kept a positive attitude throughout. I gained a new respect for him. Yesterday was the second time he has seen my brother-in-law. Grandpa is impressed with him. He told me so a couple of weeks ago when Dad and I went up for a Saturday special event- the annual Luau. We are glad because He has very strong opinions, so if he takes a dislike to someone, then he isn’t likely to change his view.

On the way home we stopped at Trader Joe’s, a specialty grocery shop that also has great prices. I guess since they are a regional chain they can buy in bulk. They carry a lot of unique gourmet and healthy (organic, whole foods) items. What a fun place to shop! We don’t go there a lot because there isn’t one very close. I bought some ginger snaps, a couple bottles of cheap wine, and some ready-to-eat sushi (which I ate in the car for a late lunch). Mom got a couple of jars of simmer sauces to cook with chicken (masala and Thai green curry), some nan (Indian flat bread) and other things that I’ve forgotten. We ate the masala sauce and the nan tonight for dinner. Delicious.

Tuesday I applied for another job as a student advisor for an online university. I also started my “Master Application”. This is basically a reference document for me to catalog information about all of the jobs (volunteer or paid) that I’ve had in my lifetime. It is a good exercise for me to remember all of the things I’ve done and then reflect back on the specific skills, knowledge, and tools that I’ve used. When I finish, I’ll post a list of all the jobs I’ve ever had.

Tuesday night I watched Miami Ink, one of my favorite new shows. I don’t have any tattoos, but I like to see other people’s tattoos and the stories behind the designs they choose are interesting. I also like the artists’ personalities on the show. It seems like they have a lot of fun and really love the art of what they do. The work they do is beautiful. There was only one time I was ever tempted to get a tattoo. I knew exactly what design I wanted. I have a ring with the Chinese character for love. It is a very sentimental piece of jewelry and I wear it a lot. One day I lost it. I had become so accustomed to wearing it and felt so personally attached to the symbol. The specific character was chosen because it matches the meaning of my name. (Cheryl=beloved, dear one) I thought that if I tattooed the symbol on myself that I would never lose it. The idea comforted me. Later that day, I found the ring. All thought of getting the tattoo disappeared. The biggest thing that stops me is my low tolerance for pain. I also don’t like the idea of having it for the rest of my entire life. Friends who have them tell me that you don’t stop at one; you always want more. I don’t need another thing to obsess over like a permanently unfinished project.

We are planning another family visit to my great aunt on Friday. She had a fall and broke her hip a couple of months ago. She returned home recently and we haven’t seen her since we visited her at the hospital.